Search and Rescue poker ride comes up aces

Montana -- Getting into the “black” was the prime objective at the First Annual Summer Solstice ATV Poker Ride last weekend in Superior, and Mineral County Search and Rescue met its goal.

Member Mike Byrnes wouldn’t let on to exactly how much the 74-mile poker run earned for the volunteer group. But he did say that everyone enjoyed themselves, the event will be held again next year and the fundraising event turned a profit.

“Every penny will go towards Search and Rescue to buy fuel or equipment, because we are all volunteers and no one gets paid,” he said.

A total of 62 riders took to the trails for the poker ride from as far away as Washington, Anaconda, Columbia Falls and Helena. He said that he had no idea how many people would show for the first-time event. The day went off without a hitch and the riders had a good time in Mineral County.

“Everyone was tickled to death and loved the route,” said Byrnes. “They just wished that we hadn’t had so much snow so that the route could have been even longer. They all said they were excited about the ride, that they would do it again next year and that they would all bring their friends.”

Search and Rescue said that the list of sponsors who helped with the event was extremely long and instead of trying to thank each of them individually – and chance slighting any by forgetting them – that the group would like to thank everyone for their support.

“This way you slight everybody--then it’s not as bad,” joked Byrnes. “We’d just like to thank all of our local and out-of-town sponsors immensely because we couldn’t have done it without them. Then we would like to thank all our members and the outside help. It was greatly appreciated."

Byrnes said that the next Search and Rescue Meeting will be held in the second week of July – as opposed to the first week of the month when meetings are regularly scheduled – at the County Commissioners Room in Superior at 7 p.m. He said everyone is welcome to attend and contribute to the organization.

“Every person that helps, in any way, is appreciated,” said Byrnes.

Clark Fork Chronicle

News Added: 26 June, 2008

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